The 2012 Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs was recently selected during the 89th annual Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention held in Wisconsin Dells.
Richelle Kastenson, 21, representing Racine County Fair, was crowned 2012 Fairest of the Fairs. She is the daughter of Rick and Julie Kastenson of Union Grove.
Kastenson replaces the 2011 Fairest of the Fairs, Alexis Nickelotti, of Vernon County
Kastenson currently attends University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, where she is a senior. She is studying elementary education with a minor in special education.
Following graduation, the newest Fairest hopes to complete half of her student teaching in Sweden with the goal of it making herself a more diverse and well-rounded teacher.
She also plans to earn her master’s degree in the future.
For 14 years, Kastenson has been a member of the Racine County 4-H. During her time as a 4-H intern, she created a 4-H Roadshow, which was a program teaching urban youth organizations about 4-H.
Her leadership has also been exhibited as the Racine County 4-H Ambassador Advisor, through which she mentors a group of 15 youth through monthly meetings, participation in community activities, assisting with a multitude of 4-H programs and hosting a leadership conference for four counties.
Kastenson is also familiar with the Wisconsin State Fair, where she was an intern for the agriculture department in the summer of 2011.
The Fairest of the Fairs was chosen by a panel of three judges representing the fair, media/communications, and agriculture industries.
A field of 35 county Fairest of the Fair contestants competed for the coveted Fairest of the Fairs crown.
As Fairest of the Fairs, Kastenson will represent the 76 Wisconsin county, district, and state fairs in 2012.
The duties of the one-year term begin immediately and conclude at the end of the Wisconsin Association of Fairs Convention in January 2013.
Fairest’s responsibilities include traveling to the county, district and state fairs throughout the state as the spokesperson for the Wisconsin Association of Fairs. She will also serve as the official hostess of the 2012 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, Aug. 2-12.
Throughout her term, the Fairest of the Fairs will make appearances, conduct promotions, work with media and travel to fairs to promote the educational, social and economic importance of Wisconsin’s Fair Industry.
The panel included Ron Oleheiser of Minnesota, a newspaper veteran of 35 years, Laura Mihm, the Corporate Communications Manager of Foremost Farms USA, of Baraboo, and Michelle Radcliffe, who has had a lifelong involvement with 4-H and also operates her own farm. She is a former Miss Wisconsin Co-ed Pageant, and has participated in several other pageants. “The dedication and passion for the fair industry was evident among the talented young women who competed, which is important as they are the future of the fair and agriculture industries,” sad Mihm.
Bethany Rieth, 21, representing Oconto County Fair, was named first runner-up. She attends UW–Madison, where she is a sophomore.
Jerianne Blau, 20, representing Columbia County Fair was announced as the second runner-up. She is a sophomore at University of Winona State.
Kayla Oberstadt, 21, representing Waupaca County Fair was named as third runner-up and received the additional honor of being selected as Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. She is a senior at the UW–Oshkosh.
Erica Spiegelberg, 19, representing the Waukesha County Fair was named fourth runner-up. She attends tUW–Madison, where she is a sophomore.
Individuals interested in competing in the Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs contest may contact their county or district fair board for more information or visit www.wifairs.com.
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